What's Hot: Covers the back and sides of the large phone, comes with screen protector, easy to use.

What's Not: None.

Reviewed by Tong Zhang

The iSkin vibes is one of the first Samsung Galaxy S III cases launched by iSkin. While it doesn't have the aluminum back plating as the one on the iSkin aura, we actually find this case protecting the large Android smartphone better in several ways. The case is well designed, form fitting and easy to put on and take off. The iSkin vibes comes in four popular colors: Gravity (Black), Ultra Violet (Purple), Cosmic (Pink) and Lunar (Blue).

Design

The iSkin vibes is made with thermoplastic that combines polymer and polycarbonate. The material feels grippy but remains thin and light. The fluid lines on the back of the case adds pleasing aesthetics but more importantly they break the large surface to give you a better grip. The large part of the back also has a more textured surface than the surrounding area, and the cutout cluster for the rear ports is made with hard plastic for additional protection. We love this design, which protects more vulnerable parts of the phone without compromising the thickness of the case. Another more protective design is that the case covers the entire back and sides of the Galaxy S III, unlike the iSkin aura case that leaves the top and bottom edges open. The iSkin vibes is very form fitting, and the thermoplastic has enough flexibility for you to put on or take off the case easily. And it keeps the form better than most silicone cases.

The iSkin vibes for Samsung Galaxy S III wraps around the phone and covers the edges of the front bezel. This is another great design point for better protection: the case will keep the Galaxy S III's display off of flat surface should you put the phone face down. As with the iSkin aura, the vibes case comes with a film protector and a cleaning/installation kit. The film protector covers the display and most part of the front glass on the Galaxy S III, but not entirely.

The iSkin vibes comes in four colors that are popular enough for most people to choose their favorite from. The hard plastic plate for rear cutouts comes in different colors from the case, adding a visual break. The blue and pink cases have a white plastic plate and purple and black cases have a black plate.

Features

The iSkin vibes for Samsung Galaxy S III is more protective for the buttons on the phone. It protects the volume rocker and the power button under the plastic cover, and they're easy to use. Other ports and buttons get cutouts. The 3.5mm audio jack on top and the charging/syncing port on the bottom have generous cutouts that allow any cable to connect. Both the top and bottom mics get small cutout holes to let the sound through. Three cutouts on the hard plastic plate gives plenty room to the camera to have a full view and the flash to fully illuminate. The cutout for the speaker is perfect as well.

Conclusion

The iSkin vibes for the Samsung Galaxy S III is a well thought-out and well designed case. It's form fitting and easy to use. The case is grippy, and thin and light. You have access to all ports and buttons easily, and it offers extra protection for the buttons and the display when you put the phone face down thanks to the front barrier. We like that the case comes in four colors and a nice film protector for the front glass.